3 yr old up too early – any advice?

[rzl]

Our three-year-old wakes up at about 4:30 every morning full of life and won?t go back to sleep. During the day he expires just before or just after pre-school and wakes up in a really grumpy mood. We then have a struggle getting him to sleep at his usual time of 7:30pm as he is wide awake again. But no matter how late he stays up he nearly always wakes up again pre-dawn.

Can anyone offer some advice please?

[MyPumpkinDsHappyHalloweenBday]

how long does he sleep after pre-school.

[rzl]

2 to 3 hours

[fourlittlefeet]

can you cut down on his nap time, or try for a morning/lunch nap instead? when DD (17mo) has a 3 hour nap during the day, she definitely sleeps a shorter period at night. I've always understood that each baby has a certain number of hours they need to sleep a day and thats it. DD needs around 14 so if she sleeps extra during the day, she'll wake up an hour earlier etc...

[mumofangels]

or get a sleeptime bunny clock (google it!), worked wonders for my early riser when he was 3!!! couply with a sticker chart and you'll be amazed.